Typhaea stercorea (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleotteri Micetofagidi), un infestante talora misconosciuto

TYPHAEA STERCOREA (LINNAEUS, 1758) (COLEOPTERA MYCETOPHAGIDAE), AN INSECT PEST SOMETIMES MISUNDERSTOOD Although it is not considered one of the beetles which most commonly infest foodstuffs and may be little known to some pest control operators, the micetophagid Typhaea stercorea (Linnaeus, 1758) is present with significant frequency among the beetles captured using some of the most common methods employed in food factories. It is a species ecologically related to fungal mycelia and moldy food substrates, on which larval development occurs. Its discovery can therefore be correlated to the presence of fungal mycelia on foodstuffs or other surfaces in processing and storage environments, for example due to partial deterioration of foodstuffs or to chronic condensation and stagnation of moisture over certain surfaces; but also, as far as the adults are concerned, to their positive phototaxy, which can lead them to invade premises from the surroundings in the evening, attracted by light sources if there is inadequate shielding towards the outside. It is also for this reason that adults, which are good flyers, are caught frequently and sometimes in large numbers with light traps. Due to their shape, size and color, adults are sometimes confused with small beetles of other families related to the anthropic environment, to foodstuffs, to moldy products. A substantial number of case studies carried out over about fifteen years by the current Department of Sustainable Plant Production Sciences of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza has allowed us to confirm the recurrent presence of this pest in different factories carrying out diversified or composite activities: mills, pasta factories, bakeries, factories producing vegetable preserves (tomato industry) and other dried and preserved vegetable products.